CHESAPEAKE – Lakeland’s boys volleyball team clinched its best regular season finish in the Southeastern District in program history on Tuesday with a three-game sweep over Indian River, 25-22, 25-17, 25-13.

With two games left in the regular season, for Lakeland that means on Thursday against city rival Nansemond River and Tuesday against Western Branch, the Cavaliers (13-3, 13-3) cannot be caught by Hickory or Nansemond River. Hickory and the Warriors entered Tuesday evening’s slate tied for fourth and three games behind Lakeland.

Alex Brooks led the Cavaliers with 15 kills and five blocks. Russell Carr had his usual steady performance as Lakeland’s main setter, as he totaled 22 assists despite being subbed out for much of the final set. Taylor Bess added six kills and four aces for the Cavs.

The opening game was Indian River’s biggest challenge to the visiting Cavaliers. IR led through the early part of the game before Lakeland moved in front with a kill by Brooks, then a block by Brooks against an IR spike to make it 16-14 Lakeland. Brooks kept going with back-to-back kills to make it 19-14.

Indian River closed the gap to a point before the Cavs put the game away. A huge spike by Bess gave Lakeland a 23-20 margin and Carr setting for a kill by Scott Asbell took the last point.

Lakeland jumped out to an 11-3 lead in game two and had little problem from there. Carr racked up 12 assists in the game with Brooks getting seven kills and Bess three.

In the final game, Lakeland’s lead was 10-1 after eight straight points for the Cavs on Bess’s serve. From there, head coach Daniel Waller was able to empty his bench and all of his players saw action on the court.

Despite locking up at least third-place in the district, Waller said he expects his players to be fully ready to play Nansemond River on Thursday.

“It’s always huge when we play versus Nansemond River, plus they have been playing very solid volleyball lately.”

“I’m proud of my guys. They played hard tonight,” said Waller.

In the girls match which was the second half of the doubleheader at Indian River on Tuesday, Indian River defeated Lakeland in three straight games.

Games two and three saw Lakeland (0-16, 0-16) play close to the Lady Braves in stretches, only a major run of points to take a lead was the main missing ingredient for the Lady Cavs.

In game two, six straight points on Porshe Garner’s serve turned an IR lead into a 9-8 Lakeland lead. The game remained in the balance until three straight IR points made it 19-15 IR.

In the final game, IR led 18-12 before Lakeland closed the gap to three points on a number of occasions and two points at 21-19.

April Sweat and Tori Brinkley had two kills each for Lakeland. Garner had four aces.